Customer Reviews

Makita DA3000R 3/8-Inch Variable Speed Right Angle Drill

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

When you need an angle drill, nothing else but an angle drill will do. I have used one of these drills for about 6 years now and am still very pleased with it. This drill has good power, I have used it with 1/2" bits in thick metal and large auger bits in wood. The paddle switch allows for excellent speed control starting holes or driving screws. Clearance with a screw tip only is about 3 1/2" which gets you into alot of places a regular drill won't even come close too. The forward reverse switch is a little odd but still useable enough for this type of specialty tool. It has proven very sturdy and it never needs a battery charge!

I bought this drill a mounth ago. I looked at it a long time what kept me from buying it was the cost. One day I needed a small and powerfull angle drill to get in a tight spot to drive 3 inch wood screws, I finally broke down and bought the Makita DA3000R I thought if this thing can't do the job and I don't like it I'll take it back! After getting it home I just fell in Love with it. It has all the power you could ever want. The paddle switch can be a little bit of a pain it needs improvement also the forward & reverse switch need some improvement but thats my only complaint. I just wish I hadn't waited so long to buy it. What kept me from buying this drill for so long was the fact it did not have a 1/2 inch chuck. I looked at the Dewalt but ruled it out because it had no forward or reverse switch. If you need a small and powerfull well made angle drill to get into tight spots look no further, the Makita DA3000R will do it for you.

After fighting ceiling fan and can light installs on the ground of floor of 2 story houses for longer than I care to remember, using a right angle attachment to my 3/8 drill punching holes in floor joist for wiring. I finally realized there must be a better way. After purchasing the Makita right angle 3/8 drill these go much faster. You can get the entire unit in the ceiling in a 6" can light hole and with extentions and an electricians bit I have made it through 3 joists on 16" centers. Saves lots of drywall repair and a much cleaner and faster job. This has become my favorite drill and I use it for most general applications as well, The quality and ergonimics are very good. Although it is not a high amp drill it powers through most material with no problem.

Just a quick heads-up for the distaff side: I bought this tool and found that it's just a bit too wide around for my hands for it to be any more than a speciality drill/driver. The power paddle is a bit strange also--the drill started up when I placed it down on the ladder. It's got good power and the varible speeds are very easy to control. I just wish it was thinner for those of us with less than He-Man hands.

I bought this drill based on positive reviews I found here, and liked the idea of it being reversible. I was disappointed when it didn't have sufficient torque to drive a 5/8 auger bit through a floor joist. Went out and bought a Dewalt which had no problem. The Dewalt isn't reversible but doesn't need to be for drilling since it has enough power to drill through without getting bound or stuck. I don't know if I got a defective drill (other reviewers said they've drilled joists), or whether it's just an underpowered tool.

This drill is great, I love the fact that it is variable speed as well as reversable. Plus the way the paddle switch is set up it is easy to activate yet doesn't easily go off unintentionally. I recently used mine to drill out the back most manifold bolt in the head of a 454 chevy. It worked great for that. I could barely get my arm down there to reach the area but getting the drill in there and working with it was absolutely no problem. I owned a Dewalt dw160 and even though it is slightly more powerful it is no comparision as far as ease of operation and overall tool design. Even the chuck on the Makita is 10 times easier to use than the Dewalt. The Makita is all open all the way around while the Dewalt has small slots you have to try and fit the chuck key through to reach the chuck.

AFTER A RECENT PURCHACE OF THE MAKITA DA 3000R RIGHT ANGLE DRILL I CAN SAY THAT I AM SATISFIED. AFTER DECIDING AGAINST THE SIMILAR DEWALT MODEL BECAUSE IT WAS NON-REVERSING, I CHOSE THE MAKITA. OWNING A FEW MAKITA POWER TOOLS I THINK THAT THAY MAKE A VERY GOOD AND DURABLE PRODUCT. THE FORWARD/REVERSE SWITCH IS A LITTLE CHEAPLY DONE, BUT THE RPM LIMITER THUMBSCREW IS A GREAT IDEA. ALL SAID AND DONE IT'S A HEAVY DUTY DRILL, ANOTHER GOOD PRODUCT BY MAKITA. JUST WISH IT CAME WITH A TOOL CASE FOR THE PRICE.

I researched all the options for right angle drills before deciding on the Makita based on it being variable speed, reversable, and well made. I was surprised how solidly this unit is! (Unlike the Dewalt which I found to be somewhat chessy feeling). I bought this unit to install molding on the flat and backer blocks for crown molding above kitchen cabinets. With only 5" of clearance above the cabinets this drill still made easy work of it. I can already think of about a dozen other areas I will be using this tool often.
By the way, be extremely careful while changing bits NOT to depress the trigger. I did, and it nearly took my finger off!

I have had a different experience with this drill than other reviewers here. I have had this drill for about seven years and I always hesitate to use it. As one reviewer stated, when you need an angle drill, nothing else will work, but I wouldn't buy this one again.

The drill seems very well built, but the torque is pathetic. It would be fine for twisting screws, but using large spade bits to cut holes between studs (as for electrical work), or using hole saws in metal, I commonly stop the bit of this drill motor without much effort. I would equate the torque to a medium quality battery powered drill.

The paddle trigger is, in my opinion, downright dangerous. Moving the drill in close quarters, which is its primary purpose, I frequently bump the paddle against something, causing it to spin with potentially harmful results, both to me and the work around the bit. A standard trigger would be just as effective and much less dangerous.

I have several Makita hand tools and I like them, but I would trade this one for an alternative in a minute. I have never used any other angle drill motor, so I have no other recommendations, but for the applications I have described, I suggest the potential buyer look elsewhere.

Very nice quality and ergonomics. But the motor is so wimpy, the drill stalls often. Shop around before buying this drill.